JESSE’S PICKS
Christmas Eve Jazz with The Problem
6–8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, Skylarks Hidden Cafe, 1308 11th St.
The week of Christmas doesn’t have a whole lot of live music happening, so I think it’s pretty neat that the jazz/funk/pop collective known as The Problem are playing a Christmas Eve show. Their upbeat sound should make a nice soundtrack for getting out of the house. That’s at Skylarks in Fairhaven. If you go, make sure to tip the band and the staff a little extra for being there for you that night. (There’s also Christmas caroling happening on the Fairhaven Village Green at 8 p.m. that same evening.)
The Librarians
8–10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, Honey Moon, 1053 N. State St. alley
The long-running local folk/rock/jazz foursome known as The Librarians haven’t been particularly active for the last few years, but they seem to be picking it up again recently. They’re at the Honey Moon on Friday, Dec. 27, always a great spot for intimate acoustic shows.
The Polish Ambassador
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St.
This is also a slow season for touring acts, which makes it kind of cool that the electronic music weirdo who goes by the Polish Ambassador is going to make his way to Bellingham for a show at the Wild Buffalo on Saturday, Dec. 28. If you’ve been overindulging this holiday season and need some exercise to make up for it, this is a great chance to dance away some serious calories with deep bass grooves complemented by a surprising range of melodies and textures.
Stephanie Anne Johnson
7:30–9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, New Prospect Theatre, 207 Prospect St.
Stephanie Anne Johnson is a powerful blues/roots/soul singer out of Tacoma (and was once even a finalist on “The Voice”). They’re coming to the New Prospect Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 28, in support of their album from last year, “Jewels.” They play a lot at festivals all around the area, including Downtown Sounds back in 2021, but this is a nice chance to see them up close and personal.
LIVE MUSIC LISTINGS
Friday, Dec. 20
- Aslan Depot: 8 p.m., Mindset Concept (jazz/fusion)
- Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., PaperHeart Unplugged (alt-rock covers)
- Bistro at Shuksan: 5 p.m., Thomas Harris Quartet (jazz)
- Corner Taphouse: 7 p.m., Shady Groove (folk/bluegrass/acoustic Grateful Dead tunes)
- Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Paige Woods Christmas Extravaganza
- Hotel Bellwether: 6 p.m., Adrian Clarke
- Old Edison: 8 p.m., The Preacher & The Freight Train
- Ramble Tamble: 8 p.m., The Artful Dodgers (rockabilly/surf)
- The Shakedown: 9 p.m., Sons of Rainier, Lonesome Shack (country/folk)
- Sugar & Co.: 7 p.m., Cardova (funk)
- The Vault: 7 p.m., Michael Dayvid
Saturday, Dec. 21
- Birdsview Brewing: 6 p.m., Cascade Cody (country/folk)
- The Blue Room: 6 p.m., Blessing Bled Chimanga
- Brown Lantern: 9 p.m., Honestly No (indie rock)
- Buxton’s: 6 p.m., AMP Yule Bazaar ft. Tuscan Harper, Nurhachi, Camp Quitter, The Enthusiasts, many more
- Greene’s Corner: 6 p.m., RJ Rex’s Cedar Groove
- Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Alex Abrams
- Hotel Bellwether: 6 p.m., Bill MacDonough
- Larrabee Lager Co.: 5 p.m., Honey Ruckus (folk)
- Main Street: 8:30 p.m., Thermal Blues Express
- Odd Fellows at the Orion: 8 p.m., Julian MacDonough (jazz)
- Old Edison: 7:30 p.m., The Lucky Dogs
- Rockfish: 7:30 p.m., North Country Highway (country/rock)
- The Shakedown: 9 p.m., Oath Ov Hatred, Vaulderie, Maneater (metal)
- Skagit Cellars: 6 p.m., Tenderpile’s Smile Aisle (jazz)
- Skylark’s: 8 p.m., Anissa
- Stones Throw: 6 p.m., CGC Trio (folk/rock/jazz)
- Sugar & Co.: 7 p.m., Tea Seas Trio
- That’s What I Like! Island Grill: 6 p.m., Michael Dayvid
- Thirsty Badger: 8 p.m. Urban Cowboy and D-Nice (country)
- Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., Naraly (electronic)
Sunday, Dec. 22
- Kulshan: 5 p.m., Tenderpile’s Smile Aisle (jazz)
- Lincoln Theatre: 3 p.m., Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide
- New Prospect Theatre: 5 p.m., Robert Sarazin Blake’s A Very Subdued Christmas
- Old Edison: 5:30 p.m., The Atlantics (classic rock and roll)
- Ramble Tamble: 7 p.m., Open Mic
Monday, Dec. 23
- Bella Ciao: 7 p.m., Open Mic
- FireHouse Arts and Events Center: 3:30 p.m., Lorraine & Kaeli Earle
Tuesday, Dec. 24
- Skylark’s: 7 p.m., The Problem (jazz)
Wednesday, Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, Dec. 26
- Brown Lantern: 8:30 p.m., Open Mic
- Cafe Rumba: 6 p.m., Open Mic
- Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Bluegrass Jam
- Schweinhaus: 7 p.m., Open Mic
- Sugar & Co.: 7 p.m., Saltwater Cowboys
- Thirsty Badger: 7 p.m., Open Mic
- That’s What I Like: 6 p.m, JP Falcon and Friends (folk/rock)
Friday, Dec. 27
- Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., Charlie Partin
- Corner Taphouse: 7 p.m., Saltwater Cowboys
- Honey Moon: 8 p.m., The Librarians
- Hotel Bellwether: 6 p.m., Ben Meyer
- Stones Throw: 6 p.m., S.O.L.
- Sugar & Co.: 7 p.m., David Lyon
Saturday, Dec. 28
- Bar Two Eleven: 8 p.m., The Walrus
- Beach at Birch Bay: 4 p.m., Naked Cowboys
- Conway Muse: 8 p.m., Joe Cook Blues Band
- Greene’s Corner: 6 p.m., The Problem (jazz)
- Honey Moon: 8 p.m., John Swanke, Devin Champlin, Sean Curtis Patrick
- Hotel Bellwether: 6 p.m., Nick Moshier
- Larrabee Lager: 5 p.m., Monk Slippers (jazz)
- Lincoln Theatre: 7:30 p.m., Victims of Love (Eagles tribute)
- New Prospect Theatre: 7:30 p.m., Stephanie Anne Johnson (folk/blues)
- Odd Fellows at the Orion: 8 p.m., Blake Angelos Trio (jazz)
- Old Edison: 8 p.m., Savanna Woods
- Rockfish: 7:30 p.m., The Dunton Sisters
- Skylark’s: 8 p.m., Joshua Red Uttech
- Stones Throw: 6 p.m., The Band of Havilah
- Sugar & Co.: 7 p.m., Michael Dayvid (acoustic covers)
- Wild Buffalo: 8 p.m., The Polish Ambassador (electronic)
Sunday, Dec. 29
- Kulshan: 5 p.m., JP Valentine (acoustic rock)
- Old Edison: 5:30 p.m., The Davanos
- Ramble Tamble: 7 p.m., Open Mic
Jesse Stanton's music column, The Beat Goes On, appears weekly. Reach him at jsbhammusic@gmail.com; @JSBhamMusic. Check with individual venues to make sure events are still taking place as scheduled. Live music events in Whatcom County: http://www.cascadiadaily.com/category/living/arts-and-entertainment/music/music-calendar
